HB693: HB693 Postsecondary education; tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities; expand definition of approved school

26 LC 52 1046S The House Committee on Higher Education offers the following substitute to HB 693: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 20-3-411 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 definitions relative to tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, so as to2 expand the definition of "approved school"; to provide for rela ted matters; to repeal3 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Code Section 20-3-411 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to definitions7 relative to tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, is amended by8 revising paragraph (2) as follows:9 "(2) 'Approved school' means:10 (A) A nonproprietary institution of higher education located in this state which is not11 a branch of the university system; which is not a four-year or graduate level institution12 of higher education that is, or is a part of, a college or university system that is owned13 and operated by a state other than Georgia; which is accredited by the Southern14 Association of Colleges and Schools; which is not a graduate level school or college of15 theology or divinity; and which is not presently receiving stat e funds under Article 416 H. B. 693 (SUB) - 1 - 26 LC 52 1046S of this chapter; provided, however, that an institution which o therwise meets the17 requirements of this definition and of this subpart except for the lack of accreditation18 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools shall be de emed to be an19 'approved school' during the period that the institution holds candidate for accreditation20 status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; provided, further, that21 an institution which otherwise meets the requirements of this d efinition and of this22 subpart except for the lack of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and23 Schools shall be deemed to be an 'approved school' if such institution was previously24 an 'approved school' under division (iii) (iv) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph25 within the last five years; provided, further, that an institut ion which was previously26 accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools within the last seven27 years and which otherwise meets the requirements of this definition and of this subpart28 except for the lack of accreditation by the Southern Associatio n of Colleges and29 Schools shall be deemed to be an 'approved school'; and30 (B)(i) A qualified proprietary institution of higher education located in this state31 which is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher education; which is32 accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on33 Colleges as a Level VI institution; which is not a Bible school or college (or, at the34 graduate level, a school or college of theology or divinity); which admits as regular35 students only persons who have a high school diploma, a state approved high school36 equivalency (HSE) diploma, or a degree from an accredited postsecondary institution;37 whose students are eligible to participate in the federal Pell Grant program; which has38 been reviewed and approved for operation and for receipt of tuition equalization grant39 funds by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commissi on; which is40 domiciled and incorporated in the State of Georgia; which has b een located in this41 state since on or before January 1, 2021 2015; and which met all of the requirements42 of this subparagraph by January 1, 2021 2015; provided, however, that the criteria for43 H. B. 693 (SUB) - 2 - 26 LC 52 1046S approval for receipt of tuition equalization grant funds shall include but not be limited44 to areas of course study; quality of academic instruction; stud ent placement rate;45 research and library resources; faculty; support staff; financial resources; instructional46 campuses, facilities, or other physical sites; and support and equipment resources.47 (ii) A qualified nonproprietary institution of higher educatio n located in this state48 which is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution offering a baccalaureate degree49 program or programs in nursing; which is accredited by the Southern Association of50 Colleges and Schools or by the Higher Learning Commission; which is accredited by51 the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; which has a Nat ional Council52 Licensure Examination four-year average passage rate of at least 80 percent; which53 is not a Bible school or college (or, at the graduate level, a school or college of54 theology or divinity); which admits as regular students only persons who have a high55 school diploma, a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, or a degree56 from an accredited postsecondary institution; whose students are eligible to participate57 in the federal Pell Grant program; which has been reviewed and approved for58 operation and for receipt of tuition equalization grant funds by the Georgia Nonpublic59 Postsecondary Education Commission; which has at least one instructional campus60 that has been physically located in the State of Georgia for at least ten years, as of61 June 30, 2025; provided, however, that only such institution's baccalaureate degree62 program or programs in nursing shall be deemed an approved school for the purposes63 of this subpart; and provided, further, that, notwithstanding a ny provision to the64 contrary in Code Section 20-2-161.3 or subparagraph (D) of paragraph (7) of Code65 Section 20-3-519, an institution or program that is deemed an a pproved school66 pursuant to this division shall not be deemed an eligible postsecondary institution, as67 defined in Code Section 20-3-519, or for purposes of the Dual E nrollment Act, as68 provided for in Code Section 20-2-161.3, or for any other scholarship, loan, or grant69 program provided for in this article, including HOPE scholarships and grants.70 H. B. 693 (SUB) - 3 - 26 LC 52 1046S (ii)(iii) Any proprietary institution that is otherwise qualified pursuant to division (i)71 of this subparagraph on July 1, 1995, shall be deemed to be eli gible for receipt of72 tuition equalization grant funds subject, however, to any subsequent review of such73 approval pursuant to any proper regulations which may thereafte r be adopted in74 accordance with paragraph (10) of subsection (b) of Code Sectio n 20-3-250.575 applicable to all qualified proprietary institutions.76 (iii)(iv) Any proprietary institution of higher education that is other wise qualified77 pursuant to division (i) of this subparagraph on January 1, 2011, shall continue to be78 an approved school pursuant to this paragraph as long as it con tinues to meet the79 requirements of division (i) of this subparagraph as such existed on March 14, 2011."80 SECTION 2.81 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.82 H. B. 693 (SUB) - 4 -